The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories system, known as SMART, has been operational for nearly six weeks, helping air traffic controllers identify more fuel-efficient routes and anticipate potential disruptions.
According to DOT, the technology has also saved nearly 80 gallons of fuel per flight on average, offering an early glimpse of how the administration hopes to reduce flight delays and cancellations.
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“Under President Trump, we are making historic progress to revitalize air traffic control and improve the passenger experience for millions of Americans,” Transportation Secretary said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
Duffy also said the technology would deliver broader benefits as the program expands.
” will slash frustrating delays, reduce stress on air traffic controllers, and lower travel prices.”
One example came in October when a flight carrying 147 passengers from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to Orlando International Airport avoided expected congestion after SMART recommended an alternative route.
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The flight had been scheduled to depart during a period when congestion was expected along its original path. SMART identified a route farther west, which air traffic controllers accepted, shortening the journey by 11 nautical miles and saving six minutes of flight time, according to DOT.
The technology combines 200 data streams, including weather patterns, flight paths, traffic flow and controller staffing metrics, into a centralized platform.
Its AI-supported engine helps aviation specialists anticipate where congestion could develop and recommend more efficient routes before congestion builds.
The technology is also designed to improve how the FAA manages severe weather, a source of disruptions for U.S. .
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According to a DOT fact sheet, the agency’s existing approach involves blocking off large rectangular sections of airspace affected by storms, even though weather systems are often irregularly shaped and safe corridors may remain available.
SMART is intended to provide a clearer picture of changing weather conditions, allowing aviation specialists to identify routes around storms and determine when restricted airspace can safely reopen.
Despite its AI-supported capabilities, SMART does not independently direct aircraft or replace human air traffic controllers.
A team of aviation specialists analyzes and validates SMART’s data before sending scheduling recommendations to the FAA’s Air Traffic Control System Command Center. Those recommendations are then forwarded to local air traffic control facilities, where officials decide whether to accept them.
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